News Release

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Teenager Shoots Himself After Pursuit

Los Angeles: Robbery-Homicide detectives are investigating the suicide of a teenager who shot and killed himself after a high-speed pursuit that ended in Los Angeles in the early morning hours.

On July 4,2007, at around 1:00 a.m., Riverside County Sheriff deputies observed a grey Jaguar sedan driven by Adrian Soto, a 19, of Los Angeles and his three passengers driving erratically through Yucaipa. When the deputies tried to stop the car, Soto refused to pull over and attempted to get away by getting on the 10 Freeway towards Los Angeles.

Once on the 10 Freeway, California Highway Patrol (CHP) took over the pursuit. Soto continued to attempt to elude the officers and continued at a high rate of speed on the freeway committing a number of traffic violations. He finally exited the freeway and continued on the surface street, where Los Angeles police officers followed him westbound on 43rd Street from Long Beach Avenue.

While evading, Soto fired several rounds in the air with a pistol. Soto finally stopped the car on 43rd and Morgan Avenue. The three passengers quickly got out of the car and were detained by the CHP officers. As the passengers were exiting, Soto fired an additional round. When officers approached the car to take Soto into custody, they saw that he had shot himself.

Paramedics were called to the scene but were not able to revive Soto and he was pronounced at the scene.

Investigation revealed that prior to shooting himself, Soto had called his family and friends telling them goodbye and that he was sorry but he could not go to jail.

Anyone with any information about this crime is asked to call Robbery-Homicide Detectives Wally Tennelle or Corbin Rheault at 213-485-2129. After hours and on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (529-3855).